Families First Funeral Services and The Gardens Crematory Under Fire for Mishandling Remains: A Family’s Plea for Justice
In a heart-wrenching case that continues to draw public attention, the family of Mary Odessa Anderson is seeking justice for what they allege is a series of egregious misconduct by Michael Anthony Brass Jr. and Shon-Tai Burton Brass, the operators of Families First Funeral Services, along with The Gardens Crematory and the Snyder Care Center. These entities are accused of mishandling the remains of Mary Anderson, which has caused irreparable emotional damage to her loved ones.
The family is currently embroiled in litigation against the involved parties, and the depth of their grief is compounded by a pattern of malpractice and fraudulent activity on the part of these funeral service providers. This is not an isolated incident but part of a long history of regulatory violations, license revocations, and unethical practices that stretch back over a decade.
A History of Discipline: Brass and Families First Funeral Services
Michael Brass, a former pastor, and his wife, Shon-Tai Burton Brass, have been involved in numerous complaints and disciplinary actions related to their funeral services. In a 2018 complaint filed with the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, it was revealed that Families First Funeral Services had committed multiple infractions, including gross negligence, fraud, unprofessional conduct, and mishandling of remains. The business operated under Shon-Tai Burton’s name after Michael Brass surrendered his funeral establishment license in 2010 due to violations .
Documents from the California Funeral Bureau reveal that Families First Funeral Services continued to engage in unethical business practices even while on probation. They were found to have mishandled the remains of several decedents, failed to register death certificates on time, overcharged clients for services, and failed to exercise proper care over human remains . This culminated in a 2018 decision that placed Families First Funeral Services and Shon-Tai Burton’s license on probation .
However, despite these actions, the problems persisted. The Edwards family has now taken Michael Brass and Shon-Tai Burton to court, accusing them of continuing these egregious practices, even after their licenses were revoked. According to legal filings, Brass and Burton used their influence as community leaders to solicit funeral and cremation business under false pretenses, only to mishandle remains in a manner that has devastated grieving families .
The Gardens Crematory and Snyder Care Center’s Involvement
The involvement of The Gardens Crematory and the Snyder Care Center has raised further alarm. Despite knowing that Families First Funeral Services’ license had been revoked, both entities continued to conduct business with Michael and Shon-Tai Brass. This complicity in the unlawful and unethical handling of remains has been highlighted in the ongoing litigation brought forward by the Edwards family .
The Gardens Crematory is under fire for having cremated Mary Anderson’s remains without properly verifying her identity as required by California Health and Safety Code Section 8344. The fact that the cremation of Mary Anderson was delayed by over six weeks raises serious concerns about negligence on the part of The Gardens Crematory . The mishandling of remains, the delay in cremation, and the eventual delivery of her ashes in an undignified manner via FedEx left the family shocked and heartbroken .
A Family’s Grief and Their Plea for Justice
The Edwards family, including Mary Anderson’s grandson, Traon Call, and her daughter, Edith Edwards, have been relentless in their pursuit of justice. They continue to grieve the loss of Mary Anderson, expressing their pain and frustration openly on social media. They have marked her birthday and death anniversary in poignant posts, keeping her memory alive while dealing with the nightmare of the handling of her remains.
In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, Traon Call shared, “URGENT: My family is devastated after learning that the remains of my grandmother, Mary Anderson, may have been mishandled by The Gardens Crematory. We need clarity and answers. Please help us by calling 714-456-0044 or emailing thegardens@thegardenscrematory.com to demand transparency.” This plea is just one example of how the family has been fighting to make sense of what has happened .
Photos Credit:Michael Brass’s Twitter & Shon-Tai Burton Brass’s LinkedIn Account.
The Upcoming Litigation and the Public’s Role
The upcoming trial, set for next month, promises to be a pivotal moment in this ongoing saga. The Edwards family is determined to hold Families First, The Gardens Crematory, and Snyder Care Center accountable for their role in this tragedy. While the defendants have thus far refused to make public apologies, the family is not willing to settle for anything less than full accountability.
This case is not just about one family. It represents a larger issue of negligence within the funeral services industry. Many families, particularly in minority communities, have relied on providers like Families First during the COVID-19 pandemic, when so many lives were tragically lost. The question now is, how many other families may have been affected by these same unethical practices?
A Message to the Public: Speak Out Against Funeral Service Fraud
This case should serve as a wake-up call for families who have trusted funeral service providers like Families First, The Gardens Crematory, and others. The Edwards family urges anyone who has had similar experiences to come forward. Funeral homes and crematories that operate under fraudulent practices must be held accountable to prevent more families from enduring the same pain.
The community must demand that The Gardens Crematory, Michael Brass, and Shon-Tai Burton Brass be held responsible for their actions. The family has made it clear: they will not settle, and they are fighting for justice not only for Mary Anderson but for all families who may have been wronged by these providers.
